Posts by Ryan Arnold — Contributor
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What’s the point of supermarket gas rewards if you don’t drive?
Supermarket chains like Giant and Safeway are expanding into urban areas, where many shoppers don’t come by car. But their “rewards points” loyalty programs are only good for discounts on gasoline, benefitting those who drive frequently and have the biggest gas tanks. Keep reading…
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Could rooftop apartments transform suburban retail?
Suburban retail areas are redeveloping into mixed use neighborhoods all over the DC region. Usually redevelopment means mid-rises replace single-story retail, but could another model work? What if retail strips added rooftop apartments? Keep reading…
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What’s the point of supermarket gas rewards if you don’t drive to the store?
Supermarket chains like Giant and Safeway are expanding into urban areas, where many shoppers don’t come by car. But their “rewards points” loyalty programs are only good for discounts on gasoline, benefitting those who drive frequently and have the biggest gas tanks. These policies are set at the corporate level, not by individual stores. Nationwide,… Keep reading…
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Residents organize for positive change in Bluemont
Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood fought plans to rebuild the local Safeway and add apartments. Now that the project’s stalled, a new group called Bluemont Forward wants to change the debate over growth. In April, the Bluemont Civic Association voted to oppose a proposal from Safeway and developer Silverwood Companies to replace the 1960’s-era store… Keep reading…
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A neighborhood is about people, not buildings
When opponents of redevelopment say they want to protect the character of their neighborhood, what does that mean? A petition, circulated by activists in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood who oppose a mixed-use Safeway, suggests it’s mainly about the height of buildings. Keep reading…
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Development aside, Columbia Pike needs streetcars
The main argument for streetcars over articulated buses on Arlington’s Columbia Pike has been rail’s ability to focus redevelopment. While that is true, Arlington is also close to maxing out bus ridership in the Columbia Pike corridor. The only way to draw significantly more riders to transit will be to go beyond buses. Even if a streetcar runs in traffic, it can… Keep reading…
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Columbia Pike needs streetcars, not articulated buses
Some Arlington residents argue that the planned Columbia Pike streetcar is too expensive, and that cheaper articulated buses would be just as good. But they would not transform Columbia Pike in the way Arlington wants. Articulated buses are appropriate in many places, but they are not the same as streetcars. They don’t accomplish the same goals, and are not merely a less-expensive… Keep reading…
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Streetcar will revitalize Columbia Pike corridor
Columbia Pike’s proposed streetcar line will help revitalize one of Arlington county’s busiest corridors. Nonetheless, the plan has stirred an unusual amount of controversy, especially with increased cost estimates published last December. The project has the potential to bring a lot of benefits to the Columbia Pike corridor, the county and the region. There… Keep reading…
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“My way or the highway” bill awaits VA governor’s decision
Who should decide how an area grows? Local officials and voters, or the government in Richmond? The focus on decisions would shift under Virginia’s latest transportation bill, which gives the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) new powers to supersede local planning. The bill, passed on March 10, requires local governments to revise their plans to include… Keep reading…